9 Small Bedroom Office Combo Ideas That Are Actually Productive

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Working from home but don’t have the space in your apartment for a separate home office? 

Here are 9 small bedroom/office combo ideas to help you achieve work-life balance without unnecessarily sacrificing your professional and personal spaces. 

Bedroom with green cloth on black wooden chair at desk with computer, wooden triangle and cones, real photo with gallery of posters on empty grey wall

1. Get organized

Organization is key when you’re working from home; you don’t want your work clutter bleeding into the messes created by your day-to-day life, or vice versa. 

Here are three must-haves:

Desk organizer

If you have a desk, you need a desk organizer. Every person and occupation will have different needs to meet in this department, but the Marbrasse Desk Organizer does an excellent job of being all things to all workers.

Marbrasse Desk organizer with Drawer, 4-Tier Mesh Desk File Organizer with 5 Vertical File Holders and 2 Pen Holders, Multifunction Desktop Organizer,Desk Organizers and Accessories for Home Office

Filing cabinet

WFH employees with physical documents to keep track of will love the DEVAISE 2 Drawer Mobile File Cabinet

DEVAISE 2 Drawer Mobile File Cabinet, Rolling Printer Stand with Open Storage Shelf, Fabric Vertical Filing Cabinet fits A4 or Letter Size for Home Office, Rustic Brown Wood Grain Print

Although it doesn’t have much filing space, it makes up for it with a pleasing aesthetic and everyday utility that you’ll appreciate in the evenings when your office becomes your bedroom again.

Hangable hamper

Working from your bedroom means you might have to convert your laundry chair back into an office chair. 

Use an over-the-door hamper like the KEEPJOY Hanging Laundry Hamper Bag to reduce laundry clutter in your workspace.

KEEPJOY Hanging Laundry Hamper Bag with Free Adjustable Stainless Steel Door 2 PCs Suction Cup Hooks, Best Choice for Holding Dirty Clothes and Saving Space, Grey

2. Aim for lofty heights

A loft bed allows you to build a dedicated office area in your small bedroom without sacrificing floor space. The ikalido Metal Loft Bed is a fabulous and budget-friendly choice.

ikalido Metal Loft Bed Twin Size, Multifunctional Twin Bed with Safety Guard & Removable Ladder, Space-Saving/Noise Free/No Box Spring Needed/Matte White

3. Trade in your nightstand

The DEVAISE 3-Drawer Wood File Cabinet is larger than your current nightstand, but its built-in filing cabinet and bookshelves allow it to do triple duty.

DEVAISE 3-Drawer Wood File Cabinet, Mobile Lateral Filing Cabinet, Printer Stand with Open Storage Shelves for Home Office, Rustic Brown

4. Divvy up space with rugs

Area rugs are a fantastic way to divide open-plan living spaces into discrete sections. 

The same concepts apply when splitting up the sleeping and working areas in your bedroom.

Here are a few combos I really love:

Modern and sleek

If you’re looking for something that will blend in with your surroundings while still being stylish, I can’t over-recommend the Classie Solid Shag Rug and Remona Modern Abstract Area Rug, both from nuLOOM. 

NuLOOM Drey Striped Shag Area Rug, 5' x 8', Grey Multi

nuLOOM Remona Modern Abstract Area Rug, 5' x 8', Grey

With a pile height approaching 1 inch, the Classie is a comforting choice for your bedroom, while the no-nonsense Remona won’t get caught in the wheels of your rolling chair.

Jute textures

Newbie interior designers often overlook different textures’ impact on a living space. 

NuLOOM’s Wavy Chevron Jute Area Rug and Hailey Hand Woven Jute Area Rug bring lots of personality to whatever room you put them in, but their low profiles and earth tones won’t draw the eye away from their surroundings.

nuLOOM Don Chevron Jute Tasseled Area Rug, 5' x 8', Natural, Rectangular, 0.35" Thick

nuLOOM Hailey Hand Woven Jute Area Rug, 5' x 8', Natural

Color-matched set

Sometimes, matching two area rugs is as simple as choosing pieces within the same color family. 

If pink’s your vibe, I recommend pairing the Unique Loom Davos Shag in dusty rose with the Leipzig Collection Area Rug in salmon.

Unique Loom Davos Shag Collection Area Rug - Solid (5' 3" x 8' Rectangle, Dusty Rose)

Rugs.com Leipzig Collection Area Rug – 5' x 8' Salmon Low-Pile Rug Perfect for Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, Living Rooms

Southwest chic

I love the subtle, southwestern flair of the nuLOOM Vanita Transitional Southwestern Fringe Area Rug

nuLOOM Vanita Transitional Southwestern Fringe Area Rug, 5' x 7' 10", Beige

Layer the NativeSkins Medium Faux Cowhide Rug over a jute area rug, and you’ve got a great pairing with true personality.

NativeSkins Faux Cowhide Rug (4.3ft x 5.7ft) - Cow Print Area Rug with Faux Suede No-Slip Backing, Cow Print Rug, Animal Hide Rugs, Cowhide Rugs for Living Room (Gray) …

Geometric patterns

The Textured Circles Geometric Area Rug and Mayan Sunset Geometric Area Rug from Mohawk Home go so well together that I’m dying to find a place for them in my own home. 

Mohawk Home Textured Circles Modern Contemporary Geometric Pumpkin Orange 5' x 8' Area Rug Perfect for Living Room, Dining Room, Office

Mohawk Home Mayan Sunset Stripe 5' x 8' Area Rug - Slate Blue - Perfect for Living Room, Dining Room, Office

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the AD Set of 6 Coasters with Holder, which almost perfectly matches the Textured Circles rug.

AD Set of 6 Coasters for Drinks Absorbing Round Ceramic Stone Coaster with Cork Base Tabletop Protection Mat for Mugs and Cups,Office,Kitchen (Colorful with Holder)

Bohemian love

If you want to bring some boho vibes into your space, check out the BNM Viking Modern Geometric Trellis Area Rug and Unique Loom Sialk Hill Collection Traditional Area Rug

BLUENILEMILLS BNM Viking Modern Geometric Trellis Polypropylene Indoor Area Rug with Jute Backing, Living Room Rugs for Home Décor, Dining Room Plush, Durable & Non-Slip with Asorted Colors and Sizes

Unique Loom Sialk Hill Collection Area Rug - Washington (5' 3" x 8' Rectangle, Brown/ Black)

Power clashing

Love bright colors and eye-catching patterns? If so, the nuLOOM Abbey Carnival Handmade Shag Area Rug and SAFAVIEH Classic Vintage Collection CLV301A may be perfect for you!

nuLOOM Handmade Carnival Abbey Shaggy Area Rug, 5' x 8', Multi

SAFAVIEH Classic Vintage Collection Area Rug - 5' x 8', Black & Multi, European Oriental Cotton Design, Easy Care, Ideal for High Traffic Areas in Living Room, Bedroom (CLV301A)

Animal prints

Animal prints always stay in style. The nuLOOM Brooks Leopard Print Area Rug and SAFAVIEH Soho Collection SOH789A are understated enough to meld with most design aesthetics while making a bold declaration.

SAFAVIEH Classic Vintage Collection Area Rug - 5' x 8', Black & Multi, European Oriental Cotton Design, Easy Care, Ideal for High Traffic Areas in Living Room, Bedroom (CLV301A)

SAFAVIEH Soho Collection 5' x 8' Gold / Black SOH789A Handmade Premium Wool Area Rug

Total Opposites

Sometimes, two rugs can go together simply because they don’t go together at all! 

Pair the Unique Loom Colorful & Vibrant Abstract Area Rug with the nuLOOM Thomas Paul Serpent Area Rug, and you’ll see what I mean.

Unique Loom Chromatic Collection Area Rug - Champagne (5' x 8' Rectangle, Multi/ Blue)

nuLOOM Thomas Paul Serpent Area Rug, 5' x 8', Black and White

5. Minimize distractions

Working from home introduces a boatload of new distractions to your office environment — postal deliveries, neighborhood kids and dogs, construction, etc. 

Make your small bedroom office combo a little more peaceful by adding one or more of these solutions to the mix:

Sound-proofing panels

If your WFH setup requires regular Zoom meetings, these guohongus 50 Pack Acoustic Foam Panels are a must-buy. They’ll keep annoying interruptions from derailing both your work calls and your midday naps.

HWLIYUTAI 50 Pack Acoustic Panels 1 X 12 X 12 Inches - Acoustic Foam Studio Foam Wedges High Density Panels Soundproof Wedges Black …

Noise-canceling earplugs

These Loop Quiet Ear Plugs have gone viral; now’s the perfect time to get a pair for yourself. 

Loop Quiet Ear Plugs for Noise Reduction – Super Soft, Reusable Hearing Protection in Flexible Silicone for Sleep & Noise Sensitivity - 8 Ear Tips in XS/S/M/L – 26dB & NRR 14 Noise Cancelling - Blue

You’ll still be able to hear in case of emergencies, but you won’t be totally distracted by that conversation your roommates are having right outside your door.

Pomodoro timer

The Pomodoro technique provides an excellent way to avoid distractions via planned breaks. Grab a mooas Cube Timer to try it for yourself.

mooas Cube Timer, Time Management, Kitchen Kids Workout for Studying, Cooking (White)

Sound machine

If you need some noise playing in the background to work, but worry about the distractions caused by YouTube or Netflix, consider getting a White Noise Machine to fill the room with a drone that won’t grab your attention.

White Noise Machine Babelio Mini Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby | 15 Non-looping Sounds | Timer | Easy to Pocket and Travel - Black

Wall clock

I’m so used to checking my phone for the time that sometimes I forget there’s a clock right on my computer screen. 

If your cell phone is the No. 1 cause of your productivity problems, get yourself a wall clock — like this HZDHCLH Wall Clock — so you can hide that notification machine for the length of your shift.

HZDHCLH Wall Clocks Battery Operated,12 inch Silent Non Ticking Modern Wall Clock for Living Room Bedroom Kitchen Office Classroom Decor (Olive Green)

6. Don’t work in bed

We’ve all heard this advice before. Working in bed — or eating, watching TV, etc. — is terrible for your sleep hygiene. 

However, you don’t have to get a desk to circumvent this problem. 

Getting a comfy chair and lap desk — I love the HollyHOME Modern Large Cotton Fabric Lazy Chair and LapGear Designer Lap Desk — can help you create a nice working space that will let you continue to associate your bed with sleep.

HollyHOME Modern Large Cotton Fabric Lazy Chair,Accent Contemporary Lounge Chair, Single Steel Frame Leisure Sofa Chair with Armrests and A Side Pocket, Deep Purple, 27.56D X 31.5W X 37.4H in

LAPGEAR Designer Lap Desk with Phone Holder and Device Ledge - Gold Quatrefoil - Fits up to 15.6 Inch Laptops - Style No. 45416

7. Work out while you work from home

If you’re working a desk job from your small bedroom, I can’t recommend this Under Desk Treadmill enough. 

TODO Under Desk Treadmill Walking Pad 2 in 1 Walkstation Jogging Running Portable Installation Free for Home Office Use, Slim Flat LED Display and Remote Control

Not only will it help you get some much-needed exercise, but it also allows you to burn off the restless energy caused by being cooped up in your room all day.

8. Build your own coffee station

Speaking of being cooped up, having to leave your bedroom for coffee and bathroom breaks can help to break up the monotony of spending most of your time staring at the same four walls. 

If trips to the kitchen cause enough distractions to outweigh this boon, however, you might consider making coffee in your room instead.

Here’s how to build your own coffee station in the corner of your tiny bedroom:

Coffee maker

The vibrant colors and slim profile of this Holstein Housewares 5-Cup Compact Coffee Maker make it the perfect choice for WFH employees who don’t have room for a full-size machine.

Holstein Housewares - 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker - Convenient and User Friendly with Permanent Filter, Borosilicate Glass Carafe, Water Level Indicator, Auto Pause/Serve and Keep Warm Functions, Teal

Coffee mat

Coffee mats are great for catching those inevitable spills. This New Mungo Coffee Bar Mat brings personality to your in-room coffee bar without feeling out of place.

New Mungo Coffee Bar Mat - Coffee Bar Accessories for Coffee Station, Coffee Accessories, Coffee Bar Decor, Coffee Decor - Ok, But First Coffee Maker Mat for Countertops - Rubber Mat - 18”x12”

Mug warmer

If you’re anything like me, you reheat the same cup of coffee repeatedly throughout the day. 

This Electric Coffee Warmer Plate has six temperature settings so your favorite hot beverage is always just the temperature you like.

Coffee Warmer for Desk - Electric Mug Warmer, Coffee Mug Warmer with Timer, 6 Temp Mug Warmer, Smart Coffee Cup Warmer, Coffee Gifts for Coffee Lover Coffee Accessories Black

Set of coffee mugs

Keep a small set of attractive mugs near your home office coffee station, like these Koja Hand Painted 15 oz. Porcelain Ceramic Mugs.

Koja Hand Painted 15 oz. Porcelain Ceramic Mugs Set. Service for 4.

Mug holder

If your coffee mugs didn’t come with a holder or tree of their own, consider investing in some of these Mug Hooks to hang them over your coffee pot.

BAIEUEJO 2pcs Mug Hooks Wall-Mounted Holder, Coffee Cups Holder Hanger no Drilling,Mug Rack with 4 Cup Holders,Cups Storage ​for Kitchen, Living Room, Office(Black)

Mini fridge

Building your coffee station on top of a mini fridge, like this Frestec 2.5 CU’ Mini Refrigerator, is a great way to use your space efficiently. This is a must for anyone who takes cream in their coffee.

Frestec 2.5 CU' Mini Fridge,Compact Refrigerator,Small Refrigerator with Freezer, Black (FR 250 BK)

Magnetic organizer

If you’re going the mini fridge route, this Jolitac Magnetic Fridge Spice Rack will provide you with all the space you need to hold extras like coffee stirrers, paper coasters, sugar packets, and more.

Jolitac Magnetic Fridge Spice Rack- Space Saving Organizer Black Shelf on Refrigerator, Kitchen Paper Towel Holder, Foldable Design (Black-Small)

9. Create an attractive backdrop for your Zoom calls

Working in your bedroom is great… until your boss calls and you have to rush to get your clutter in order. Consider adding one of the following to your small bedroom as a fun and professional background for your next video chat:

Bookcase

Your small bedroom probably doesn’t have the space for a full-size bookcase, but I’m sure you can find a spot for the stylish BALANBO Corner Bookshelf.

BALANBO 5-Bookcase Industrial Cube Shelf Corner Bookshelf Display Storage Tall Multifunctional Stand for Home Office Living Room Decoration…

Bulletin board

Bulletin boards can scream “college freshman,” but a corkboard in your Zoom backdrop can paint you as a diligent employee if done correctly. 

Keep your calendar, work reminders, and more pinned on this Quartet Cork Board.

Quartet Cork Board Bulletin Board, 23" x 35" Framed Corkboard, Oak Frame, Decorative Hanging Pin Board, Perfect for Office & Home Decor, Home School Message Board or Vision Board (35-380352)

Wall art

A plain wall won’t distract your colleagues, but it also won’t make you look any better to your boss. 

HAUS AND HUES Abstract Gallery Wall Art, Minimalist Mid Century Modern Wall Decor, Modern Art Wall Decor, Neutral Art (Black Framed)

Add a neat packet of framed artwork, like the HAUS AND HUES Abstract Wall Art, to instantly elevate your office space.